It’s almost fall already! Where has the time gone? I hope you had a wonderful summer! While praying on what the Holy Spirit would have me write this week, he spoke what was my life message a few years ago. One I have not yet shared on Lens of Faith. Jesus + Nothing. A few years ago, when God initially moved me across the country, stripped me of everything and began a life changing work in me, he showed me the beginning of my process with a clear picture. He was after my heart and wanting to purge any false identity. He showed me the average Christian has a shelf, Jesus is on it but so are many other things. For example, success, money, our spouses, our children or our comfortable lives are on that shelf. In my case he showed me, my identity was wrapped in my relationships. My family and friends. It was as if I was like, “Jesus, I love you. You’re my favorite. Just don’t take my people.” He responded, “Oh really. How about I take your people. I must be the ONLY thing.” Whoa.

So he cleared the shelf by moving me so far away from that identity and then was able to have my undivided attention. I will never be the same. Allowing God to do whatever it took, whatever he needed, has changed me entirely. Sure there have been many times I’ve wanted to give up. It has been very difficult at times, but his supernatural grace keeps me faithful.

A couple years ago, while on a missions trip with Praying Pelican to Belize, our leader asked me if I would share my Jesus + nothing message at the church service.

Jesus + nothing night

As I did, I had women come up to me in amazement as the Holy Spirit spoke to many. It is a lifelong process of God reminding me that he is enough. That doesn’t mean I don’t have dreams or care about other things. What it means is, I don’t need anything else to complete me. When he’s all that’s on the shelf, you then become quick to listen and obey without anything else pulling you.

Village kids ministry

We sing at church, “Jesus, you’re all I want.” Those “take it all” songs are catchy but to really live it, is what he requires.

Jesus tells his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.For whoever would save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.For what will it profit you if you gain the whole world and forfeits your soul?” –Matthew 16:24-26

Jungle home ministry

I challenge you to ask God as we pray together.

“Lord, what is on my shelf that competes with you? Is there any false identity? Please show me how to clear my shelf of things that compete with you. Amen.”

Growing up a church girl, I’ve known all my life that Jesus died for my sins. Yet, the knowledge of that fact can become too common. The Sunday school stories too sweet. In reality, Jesus didn’t just die quickly for our sins. He was tortured, pierced, mocked, ridiculed by past followers and betrayed by close friends. Take a moment and let that sink in. Nothing makes this truth such a reality for me as the film, The Passion of the Christ. I can’t help but weep over and over, every time I watch it. Though 13 years since it was released, it still has such a powerful impact on so many and no other Jesus film compares, to this day. I still remember specific news stories of criminals turning themselves in after watching this film, cast and crew giving their lives to Christ during the making and many in theaters during the showing.

He was tortured, pierced, mocked, ridiculed by past followers and betrayed by close friends.”

Christianity and church has become much too casual. We’re focused on the hashtags, the coffee bar and we’ve lost the wonder and the holiness of God. He is the Holy of Holies. The Alpha and the Omega. The creator of the universe. And when we understand this reality of his suffering and his greatness, it beckons us to a greater place of intimacy with him.

He willingly suffered and died not only that we may be forgiven of sins but that we would live free from any sort of bondage. He paid much too high a price for us to walk through this life feeling defeated.

For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame.Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” –Hebrews 12

Let us thank him now:

“Lord, thank you for the unforgettable price you paid for me. Not only dying gruesomely for my sins but for your beautiful love that chases me every day. May I be constantly, humbly reminded of your sacrifice. For I know you died for me so that I would live for you. Amen.”

Just this past weekend, I was blessed to visit for the first time, the gorgeous island of Nantucket. It took my breath away to say the least. From the dreamy harbor filled with boats, to the rich purple, pink and blue hydrangeas that graced each home and street.

The downtown, full of quaint and adorable shops lined along cobblestone paths. To say the least, this spot on the map is a Photographers dream. I’m tempted to make a coffee table book with the dreamy photos I captured..maybe I will.

She had to return to North Carolina but I was welcome to stay at her gorgeous home and continue my photo expedition. I was already envisioning all the spots I would explore and the quiet time I’d have. In my mind, it was all coming together perfectly.

Then the evening before her departure suddenly, she got a call regarding her home and everything changed. She apologetically informed me that, I would not be able to stay and they were to return early the next morning. The sudden news hit me.

Many are the plans in our heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” –Proverbs 19:21

I reluctantly packed to leave the next morning, as a rain storm hit, I boarded the ferry back to the car to return home on the 8 hour journey.

As I stared out the rainy window on our drive back, mind completely blank, the Holy Spirit, spoke to me “You’re to see Jenn.”

Jenn + Jim Chandler are newlywed actor friends of mine based in New York. I was their wedding Photographer recently in the Georgia mountains on Jim’s family farm. They asked before my trip, if I would come support them in their first Broadway performance together, Celebrity Confessions. At the time it wasn’t a possibility.

So as the Holy Spirit spoke to me, I mentioned it to the girls in the car and they said, “Yes, we feel that God is calling you there to support her. We were praying that God would ordain your steps. We will drop you off at the nearest NY subway station.” Throughout the night and the trip, God confirmed by many divine appointments that this was his better plan. Even Jenn, nervous backstage, with tears in her eyes, praying before she stepped on stage was confirmation. She texted me, “Loveeee. Apparently there is a line out the door! Can you take photos of this! God may have called you to this day to be a blessing like this.”

You see, that’s the thing with surrender. It means you are his vessel. Where he can move things around, bring people he chooses and change your plans in a moments notice. Don’t fight it or resent it. Welcome it. For his plans are truly greater than ours.

Just yesterday, I was having coffee with a friend at our favorite spot, Sola. I just returned from my trip to California and she just returned from a summer tour of Europe. I was sharing with her that I experienced one of the most powerful nights, on one particular night of my trip.

While visiting Tahoe, God told me “Don’t wait for anyone to ask you for forgiveness instead you need to initiate, starting with your family. By doing this you will walk in a new dimension. I will do things in your life that you can not imagine. I’m starting with you.”

I did not hesitate, or ask a friend, or Google it, or think about it or pray about it. I quickly obeyed. Not questioning his command or counting up how each one has actually offended me, rather I obeyed. I moved with a sense of urgency and did not give the devil a chance to stop me. It’s easy to obey God when you know his nature.

To clarify, there was no glaring offense or wrong done that I felt I needed to make right on my part. It wasn’t as if I felt convicted for any action in particular or guilty by the way I treated someone.

However, as I walked up to each family member, hugged them and asked forgiveness for anything I’ve ever said or done, there was a shift. I mean it was powerful. I felt a great release and witnessed a supernatural change take place in my family. I’m still sitting here mind blown.

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

You see it’s difficult enough to forgive your offender or to ask for forgiveness for hurt that you know you’ve caused. But to humble yourself and offer forgiveness when your the victim. When you deserve the groveling. When you’ve been wronged. It just not fair. THAT’S JESUS. THAT’S OUR LORD. His great love and mercy for us every moment of everyday isn’t fair. And thank God that it’s not. Where would we be if he gave us what we deserved?

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.” Daniel 9:9

Let us pray.

“Lord thank you for your unconditional forgiveness even though I am undeserving. Show me those that I need to initiate by asking for forgiveness. I come against fear or pride that would keep me from this. Amen.”

One of the most comforting facts of life is that God never lies. In fact, it is impossible for him to lie. Hebrews 6:18 Just let that sink in for a moment. It is impossible for God to lie. What a comfort!

In a world where we face disappointments, dishonest people and unreliable circumstances, we can rest assured in his proven and unfailingly promises. Our great king, intimate friend and promise keeper.

Along with the unchanging word of God full of guarantees, he also gives us specific promises for our individual lives. As I’ve shared before I have over 50 specific promises regarding my future. Some have come to pass and some are yet to be seen.

I remember so clearly a few years ago, when I was in a real hard place and wanting to give up on what looked impossible. I asked God as I was reading his good book, “Just give me one word of encouragement.” He clearly spoke, “Numbers 23:19”. It had to be God because I wouldn’t naturally go to Numbers to find encouragement. ha but wow what a word!

God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” Numbers 23:19

For when people, situations or even the enemy tries to overwhelm us, we need to be guarded with the truth. Stay planted by memorizing his promises.

We all have those people in our lives, that we can only take in small doses. When we spend time with them we suddenly “become someone else.” Our default reaction is to blame that challenging person. Or situations that really cause us to feel or react negatively. But the truth is, that person or situation is bringing out our true character. It is actually very good that it comes out to the light, for when it is exposed we can deal with it. Maturity will cause you to notice your reaction and repent, therefore becoming Christ like in all situations.

My dad used to say, “It’s easy to live alone. You’ll always get along with yourself.” Also, it’s easy to have friends or people in our life that bring out the best in us. People that make us feel good. But, just when we think we don’t have a temper, a problem with lust or selfishness, God will put us in a challenging spot that reveals our character.

Good times don’t reveal who we really are. Struggles reveal who we really are.”

We can either justify our actions by blaming the person or situation or we can look at it through the eyes of God and what he is trying to do in us. He needs to make our heart right so we can love the unloveable and reach all people at all times. For good times don’t reveal who we really are. Struggles reveal who we really are. So we can either stay that way and make excuses or we can humble ourselves and repent. It’s our choice. Matthew 5: 46-48

To be loving, patient and kind in every challenging situation is proof of Jesus in our lives. It won’t matter if you go to church, tithe, serve or go on missions trips. What will impact the world most is your attitude when it counts. People usually need your love most in those moments when they deserve it the least.

Let us pray:

“Lord, thank you for revealing my weaknesses. I want to love well. I don’t want to be triggered by people or situations. Give me the grace I need to love all that cross my path. Keep my heart humble and teachable. Amen.”

Don’t you just love God’s promises! They comfort, encourage and give us hope. One of my favorite life verses is Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This is one of the most quoted bible verses in gift shops. You’ll find it on mugs, plaques, pens, keychains, and everything in between. Everyone loves this encouraging power verse but God is saying so much more in the connecting passage. Where he says,

Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” –Jer. 29: 12-13

As the Holy Spirit then tells me, “Many love what I can promise them, but few are willing to give what it takes to receive.” Boom. There it is. That holy conviction.

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with ALL of your heart. There is an exchange. He says we will find him when we come to him completely. When we give our all to him, no matter the cost, then he moves in supernatural ways. We then experience the peace he promises, the favor he promises and the plans he promises us. He’s really after our heart above all. If we want to grow in our love and knowledge for the Lord we must study his word and hear his voice.

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

Those catchy feel good verses are nice to hang on the wall and share on facebook but there is so much more if you dive in. I challenge you to begin to read his living word in full context to know the full story and what God is really trying to say. For what he is really promising us requires action.

Let’s pray:

“Lord, give me a love for your word. Help me to read the whole story in context. I push back distractions and my own imagination. As I surrender my heart to you, speak to me, breath new life into my soul. Amen.”

Is it just me or do you have a grand idea of God? I think of him in all his glory, on the throne, surrounded by angels worshipping him 24/7. As if he is in heaven and I’m on earth, unreachable. Even in my most intimate moments with him, it’s hard to see him as once human. However, he was just as us, tempted, lonely and overwhelmed. I think that is such a beautiful thing. That yes, he is beyond our comprehension, highly majestic, but he also spent time as a human. He has walked the same walk we walk. He’s had friends betray him. He’s cried tears of sadness. He was obedient to his father. He was tempted.

For this reason Jesus had to be made like us, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” – Hebrews 2:17-18

He cries when we cry. He hurts when we hurt. He is pleased when we are happy. He loves deeply. All because he has been there. He knows what we are going through and he is relatable.

painting by: Greg Olsen

He is not a distant God, high in the clouds, charging us around. He is a great, great father that has our best in mind. Even his discipline is due to his great love and plan for us. He is our King and our relatable comforter all at once. That is why he desires us to have a child like faith because children see him as he truly is. I am amazed watching him move in my every detail, even in things that might be considered small, he sees them as great because he sees us as great. Oh how he loves us.

Let’s pray:

“Thank you Jesus for your constant attention to detail in my life. I love knowing that you have experienced the same as I have and you are relatable. You really do know what I go through and have been there yourself. I worship you for who you are. You truly are our best friend.”

How many Warriors fans do we have here? Being a Bay Area girl, I was pumped this past Monday night when they won the finals championship vs. the Cavs. It was such a fun game to watch, LeBron + Kyrie are amazing as well. I like good game in general. I recently, read an interview with Kevin Durant where he speaks of how he reveres Steph Curry, a devout believer. Where as Durant grew up in the harsh ghetto, living a defensive life full of poverty and fear, Curry grew up middle-class. Kevin worked hard to get out, it was driven by survival. He then says in admiration, “Steph didn’t have to work this hard, but yet he does.” The Holy Spirit spoke to me after reading this. Yes, he can even use sports to teach you a thing. ha. He’ll use anything and everything. He’s always speaking, we just need to be listening.

He started to show me how most of us come to God desperate because we are forced. Either by pain, tragedy, loss or something that forces us to our knees. But blessed is the person that comes to him, in just the same form of desperation, for the sheer want to.

I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” – Prov. 8:17

That’s what he desires for us. He doesn’t want to allow those painful circumstances that drive us to him but most of us would never naturally press in while living our comfortable life. We are too distracted by the tasks of the day and pressing in is not a priority. Where as when life breaks you, you have no other choice. It’s survival.

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

Let us press in and seek his face as if there is no other way. For there is no other way. Let us allow him to remove ugly pride, fear, unforgiveness, impurity, self reliance, judgement from our hearts. I encourage you to get on your knees now in your happy, content place so he can refine you into the beautiful key player that he can use to score big.

Let us pray:

“Lord, I come to you please forgive me of anything this doesn’t please you. Purify my heart. I want to seek you and find you. Help me push back all distractions. I will do the work necessary to become who you’ve called me to be.”

God is so funny to me. He literally makes me laugh and he is so creative in how he sets up ministry in my life. He loves using bait. I’ve watched him over and over, use the ordinary for supernatural purposes. I think back to the time he used mascara to speak one of the most powerful words of destiny into my life. I think I’m going on vacation, work, out to dinner, shopping, working out, traveling for myself. But it’s like he’s smiling, telling me, “you think your here shopping but really your here for me.” “You think you’re here cause he wants to talk business but really you’re here to minister to him.” I can give you story after story of my “bait Jesus”. And every time I drive away, I’m in joyful amazement of how he shows up. He has a greater purpose in the mundane.

That’s the thing, when you surrender your life to him and you really desire to be used by him, then anything can happen and it will. Everything shifted when I really started partnering with God by praying for divine appointments and caring more about his kingdom then my own.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17

Now there have also been those times that I know I’m going to minister, and am more prepared. I have a date to share my story or I’m going to a church event where I’ll be in an atmosphere, expecting God to move. But life is so much more exciting when he surprises me because I stay ready. Stay expectant. You don’t get ready, you stay ready. He starts to trust you with his business when you have a surrendered and humble heart, willing to be his mouthpiece.

designed by: Leah Marie Carson

Just the other day, I wasn’t in the mood to minister because I wanted to have a light-hearted time of doing nothing. I was asked by my friend to watch her three young children all under the age of five, because she was off to have her fourth baby. Her neighbor also came to help cook dinner. Unexpected to us, she didn’t have her baby right away. In fact, after we put the kids to bed, we had a few hours alone before they returned from the hospital. I just wanted to relax and watch a movie. I didn’t want to get deep and emotional. But as I was sitting there, I knew the holy spirit was prompting me to share and the purposeful night ended with us praying for each other. As she left, the holy spirit started speaking to me, saying, “Ministry is not on and off, you will aways minster. Stay ready.”

Ministry is work. It can be exhausting, hard dealing with offensive people, emotionally draining and tiresome but that’s why we must be filled up daily so we can be ready at all times to pour out. Without him, there is no me.

Everything shifted when I really started partnering with God by praying for divine appointments and caring more about his kingdom then my own.”

We are not on this earth to get married, have children, own a nice home, stay comfortable and die. He has called us to the uncomfortable, beautiful, extremely fulfilling life of living out our purpose. Are you ready?

Let us pray:

“Lord, please forgive us for our selfishness. For caring more about our own kingdoms then yours. I give you myself, use me as you wish. Give me daily divine appointments. Help me to stay ready and to boldly make you known. Be glorified in my life”

Welcome to Lens of Faith! My passion is to speak, to write, to encourage as I allow the Holy Spirit to lead. My prayer is for you to fulfill your God given passion, potential, and purpose. It's my honor to journey together.
hugs, Leah

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 ♥